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[nougat]

yay shove!!  glad you're having such a splendid time!!!!

[karky]

It sounds like you are having a lovely time.
 

[shovelqueen]

Hi, gang!!  I'm back home from 16 days of eating and drinking my way across the European continent.  It was awesome - about 5 different German cities visiting family and friends, Barcelona, Spain, Montserrat and the Tirolean Alps.  An orgy of bread, really good cheeses, salty dry hams, beer, wine, seafood, tapas, and more.  Fresh figs from a Mediterranean market, the best octopus of my life...

And the damage?  Only 2 1/2 lbs up from when I left.  Not bad, considering.  I walked for hours some days, other days were spent mostly in transit, sitting in a car or train or airplane (God, I hate air travel!!)   

So now back to real life, and dealing with the weight gain from my trip (minor) and my rollercoaster ride through peri-menopause (major).  I am right back to the weight that I started SLD over 3 years ago.  And that's not the fault of SLD - it works!  I've got to get back to doing it in the classic way, and then eating accordingly.  I used the oil for the first week in Germany, but was unable to take it to Spain with me (two adults and one small carry-on sized suitcase for a week of travel to two very different climates :?).   Then I threw out the last bit in the airport, as we had too many bottles of good wine and schnapps to bring back, and we were struggling to get under the weight allowances.

My Achilles tendonosis flared up again with all the walking and some strenuous mountain trail hiking in Montserrat.  I am resigned to no running for several months, but it's time to figure out what I'm going to do instead.  I'm thinking about trying yoga, as my flexibility is pretty poor, worse since the Achilles injury has me walking abnormally sometimes.  And it's time to try the dreaded elliptical at the Y.  As a runner, I've always had a bit of a disdainful attitude toward the elliptical - I know, not very nice of me - but it's at least partially non-weight bearing and a running-like motion.  And my hoop at home, maybe some bodyweight exercises.  Get out the chin-up bar and go for the goal of one good chin-up by spring. :lol:

So, lots of work ahead.  Wish me luck!!

[TalkingRat]

Welcome back!!  It sounds like a wonderful vacation, and life experience.  Sorry about the ankle, but wow, marathons and a walking vacation are impressive accomplishments.  You sound inspired by your trip, and already on the way to perfect health and fitness.    

[nougat]

welcome back shove!!!
what a wonderful time you had!!  YAY!!!

[Pinkmug]

Welcome back!! Barcelona,huh? My DH is in Alicante for the week. We should compare notes about Spanish foods

Best octopus in your life?? You mean you're the one who ate Paul?

[shovelqueen]

Best octopus in your life?? You mean you're the one who ate Paul?

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

You gotta understand, Pink, that nobody, and I mean NOBODY, eats octopus in central Canada.  It's not even available in our stores.  We can get breaded or raw calamari rings in the freezer, but real, fresh octopus or squid simply do not appear anywhere on the food radar for the average Joe.  I"ve only ever had it cold and sliced on sushi, and I didn't like it then.  But in Spain - WOW!!  I loved them both.  Seafood, but meaty and solid. And not breaded!! :lol:

[Sanchiaza]

Hey, welcome back SQ 

[shovelqueen]

I'm back to using oil and WC mixed in the afternoon the past couple of days, and the combo is working a charm for AS.  I'm also trying some positive affirmations and IG's chant to help with attracting positive vibes back into my life.  I've spent alot of mental energy on the Achilles injury, the peri-menopause symptoms, the weight gain, feeling old and creaky, etc.  I'm consciously using an affirmation to attract what I want - a younger feeling, energetic, lighter, stronger body and vibrant good health.  And it's working.  I'm down 2 lbs from my post-trip weighin, feeing more positive already.  I'm going to post a link to the information about the affirmation in it's own thread. 

I did the elliptical at the Y last Saturday and my left calf seized up painfully for the next 2 days, thanks to the Achilles not flexing and stretching the way it should.  THe top of my calf, just below my knee, was so sore for the past 2 days, better finally this morning.  I did intervals for 15 minutes, too much I think for an entirely new exercise motion.  But I'm reading the Power of 10 book again and plan to try that program for some heavy lifting this winter. 

[shovelqueen]

WOW!!!  All I can say is WOW!!  I've been actively using positive affirmations in the past week, along with restarting the SLD oil/WC shot and in 6 days (only 4 of those actually actively "dieting", I have dropped 7 lbs and am now back into the 140's!  Given that that was starting from a bloated "post night out" weekend high, but it is still amazing, because I am now 4.5 lbs below my return-from-Europe weight!  WOW!!! 

In other areas, the positive affirmations are working well too.  My Achilles tendon feels almost normal, even first thing in the morning, and my hot flashes are at the lowest level of frequency and intensity that I have experienced in 5 months.  I am tracking every bite on Livestrong and my intake since starting this past Monday is always 1000-1100 kcals with SLD, and I'm totally satisfied with what I'm eating.  It's not low carb per se, as I'm eating Ezekial bread toast for breakfast, even had 2 small pieces of white bread baguette to mop up wine broth with mussels last night.  It was younger DS's 18th birthday and he chose mussels for his birthday supper.  They were delicious!!

I went yesterday for my first ever treatment of acupuncture, for the Achilles tendonosis and for the hot flashes.  Fifteen needles in my hands, elbows, feet and one knee.  Very interesting, and I think, very effective.  It's kind of hard to tell, as both those things were actively resolving before the appointment.  But it's all moving in the right direction and I am just elated to be feeling so well and positive.

[goblyn]

Very awesome on all accounts SQ! 

I have long toyed with the idea of getting accupuncture for my sinus issues, though, honestly, in the last few years they seem to be clearing themselves up (maybe I had fat in my sinuses!  LOL), but I have heard some pretty remarkable stories.  One of my friends swears by it for her sciatica.

[shovelqueen]

This weekend I survived - ready for this??? - Friday supper at the Japanese/Thai restaraunt, Saturday all day workshop at church (meaning coffee and muffins, lunch provided, afternoon snack), came home to make a company meal for friends (ribs, roasted potatos, broccoli salad, pie), then out contra dancing (where refreshments are served), followed by a latenight post dance party that was also a surprise birthday party for a friend - tons of food and massive cake!  Sunday there was an enormous potluck lunch at church. 

And I managed it all!!  I had small amounts, no problems with control, ever!  I had a small piece of blueberry pie with maple whipped cream (OMG!!  AMBROSIA!!) Saturday and a wee wedge of pumpkin pie on Sunday with more maple cream.  Both planned for and within my calorie limit.  I burned over 200 cals dancing, according to livestrong, and another 200 raking leaves yesterday.  And I did another 15 mins on the elliptical Friday afternoon. 

The damage?  I am 2 lbs up this morning from the low I hit on Friday, but that figure is still 2 1/2 lbs below my post-trip return weight and 5 lbs below my weight this time last week.  So I'm thrilled.  And now that Monday is here and I can get back into routine, I'm sure that the weight loss will continue this week, as I continue with my positive affirmations and afternoon oilshot. 

Unlike the last 2 weeks, my evenings this week look pretty open, so at least one of them will be spent at the Y.  I want to start Power of 10 lifting.  I've read the book again to refamiliarize myself with protocol, and I'm ready to go. 

[goblyn]

This shouldn't be what I take from your post, but my mind stopped functioning when you said "maple whipped cream"

EXPLAIN HOW THIS IS MADE ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!  It seems obvious, but I just want to be sure that its as simple as putting maple syrup in whipping cream and whipping!

OMG!!!!

 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[shovelqueen]

Oh, Goblyn, we are kindred spirits! :lol:  I was the same way when my company arrived with this treasure in a jar.  We had it on pie, I took it to the potluck lunch yesterday and had more on pie, AND...  I've had a little bowl of it for breakfast the past 2 days!  OMG - like Greek yogurt on steriods!  To die for!  Same or less cals than my usual Ezekial bread toast and peanut butter, just in a tiny half cup serving.

To make:  According to my friend, pour whipping cream (she used 2 cups in a 4 cup mason jar, but this makes a ton) into a securely lidded glass jar, like a mason jar. Add some granulated pure maple sugar (available around here from the syrup producers, but maybe available commercially, too).  Shake for 5-10 minutes, until thick and puddingy.  Done!!  About the texture of Greek yogurt or sour cream, doesn't mound like usual whipped cream. 

If you want to try our local granulated maple sugar, PM me. 

[shovelqueen]

Weight has dropped 1.5 lbs from yesterday, losing the weekend indulgences.  Only makes sense.  Even with pie twice and whipped cream for breakfast 2 days, I have eaten, at the very most, 1600 cals in a day.  My usual intake over the last week has been closer to 1200 cals, SLD included.  I've had an extremely restless night, which for me has always meant a significant weight loss whoosh happening.  Of course I didn't remember this connection until this morning... :lol:

I might hit up the Y tonight for a first Power of 10 lifting session.  That will slow the weight drop for sure, as my muscles will likely be super bloated tomorrow.  No matter, it's not fat!